The crypto world is constantly evolving, and what was once defined as a bull market cycle can quickly become yesterday’s news. In previous cycles, Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), and Chainlink (CRYPTO: LINK) were among the top performers. But as we step into 2025, the crypto landscape has shifted. So, which of these former heavyweights still deserves a spot in your portfolio? Let’s dive in.
Ethereum: The Once-Unassailable Blue Chip?
For many, Ethereum has long been considered the “blue chip” of crypto. Ranking as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency with a staggering $400 billion market cap, Ethereum’s position as the premier Layer-1 blockchain has been unchallenged for years. Even with the recent high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump, who invested $47 million through World Liberty Financial, Ethereum’s recent market performance is cause for concern.
The Reality Check
Since early 2024, while Bitcoin has surged 125%, Ethereum’s gains have been modest—only about 31%. Despite launching its own spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in July, Ethereum hasn’t been able to keep pace with Bitcoin. This performance gap is accentuated by fierce competition from nimble blockchain rivals like Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), Cardano, Avalanche, and Sui. In the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, for instance, Solana is quickly gaining ground, leaving Ethereum to scramble for relevance.
Moreover, Ethereum’s increasing dependence on more than 50 different Layer-2 solutions to manage scalability issues further complicates its value proposition. In a rapidly evolving market, being “too slow and too expensive” is a tough pill to swallow.
XRP: Regulatory Battles and Unfulfilled Potential
XRP has been mired in regulatory uncertainty for over four years. Back in December 2020, the SEC’s designation of XRP as a “security” kicked off a legal tug-of-war with Ripple, the company behind the token. Although Ripple agreed to pay $125 million in penalties last August for selling unregistered securities, the case still looms large in 2025.
The Upside and the Downside
On one hand, the pro-crypto stance of the Trump administration has given XRP a significant boost—up more than 500% since the election. The possibility of the SEC reclassifying XRP as a non-security has sparked hope for a massive price rally. However, the prolonged regulatory battle, coupled with the emergence of newer, more efficient blockchains, has taken a toll on XRP’s overall utility. Notably, the XRP blockchain still lacks smart contract functionality—a key component for thriving in today’s DeFi environment. With limited real-world application beyond payments, XRP’s future remains uncertain.
Chainlink: The Dark Horse Rewriting the Rules
Among the trio, Chainlink (CRYPTO: LINK) appears to be the one rewriting its destiny. In 2025, Chainlink has been showing impressive momentum—up 15% for the year compared to Bitcoin’s 8%. This surge isn’t happening in a vacuum. Chainlink recently received a $4.7 million endorsement investment from the Trump administration via World Liberty Financial, solidifying its role as a major player in the future of DeFi.
Beyond DeFi: Embracing Real-World Asset Tokenization
Chainlink is not just about decentralized finance. It is pioneering the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization trend, which involves converting traditional financial assets into digital tokens on the blockchain. This trend holds the potential to unlock multitrillion-dollar market opportunities—transforming everything from real estate to private equity. For USA investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities in a fast-paced market, Chainlink represents a refreshing pivot from the older models.
Final Thoughts: Which Oldie, But Goodie, Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio?
Once upon a time, Ethereum, XRP, and Chainlink were must-haves in any crypto portfolio. However, 2025 tells a different story. Ethereum’s underperformance and scalability challenges, along with XRP’s ongoing regulatory woes and limited functionality, make them less compelling than they once were. In contrast, Chainlink’s robust performance and its strategic positioning in both DeFi and RWA tokenization suggest that it might be the crypto to watch in this new era.
For USA crypto enthusiasts eager to stay ahead of the curve, diversifying your portfolio with forward-looking projects like Chainlink could be the smart move. As always, keep an eye on the rapid shifts in this industry—today’s leaders can quickly become tomorrow’s laggards.
